Area Of Responsibility
Air traffic services are provided for the entire territory, including territorial waters, as well as in the airspace over the adjacement international waters encompassed by Athinai FIR.
Procedures
In general the applicable air traffic & procedures & the organization of air traffic services conform to the ICAO Standards.
Air Traffic Services
The airspace over Greek territory, including territorial and adjacent internatinal waters comprises a single FIR, Athinai FIR.
The Greek airspace, Athinai FIR has two (2) Flight Information Regions, Athinai ACC (LGGG) & Makedonia ACC (LGMD).
Athinai ACC & Makedonia ACC provide flight information and Altering service within Athinai FIR & air traffic control service in control areas along ATS routes & certain terminal control areas.
Air traffic control is exercised:
A)on Airways
B)in Terminal Control Areas & Control Zones
C)in aerodrome traffic zones at controlled airspace
AFIS - Aerodrome Flight Information Service
Aerodrome Flight Information Service is provided at uncontrolled airports in Greece.
Restricted Airspace & Danger Areas
Several prohibited areas, restricted areas & danger areas have been established within Athinai FIR.
Transition Altitude / Transition Level
Transition Altitute (TA) for all airports are given and is specified for each aerodrome.
Transition altitudes are given in instrument approach charts.
Transition Level (TL) to be used at any time for an airport where air traffic service provided, is determined by the appropriate ATS unit concerned.
Airspace Restrictions
Aircraft & Helicopters shall not be flown outside lateral limits unless otherwise advised.
Cruising Level System
The semi-circular cruising level system also known as NEODD-SWEVEN rule is in effect in Athinai FIR.
RVSM is in effect in Athinai FIR, except for designated airspace.
Communications
An aircraft operated as a controlled flight shall maintain continuous air-ground voice communication watch on the appropriate communication channel of, and establish two-way communication as necessary with, the appropriate air traffic control unit, except as may be prescribed by the appropriate ATS authority in respect of aircraft forming part of aerodrome traffic at a controlled aerodrome.
Communication Failure
If a communication failure precludes, the aircraft shall comply with the voice communication failure procedures and with such of the following procedures as are appropriate.
The aircraft shall attempt to establish communications with the appropriate air traffic control unit using all other available means.
In addition, the aircraft, when forming part of the aerodrome traffic at a controlled aerodrome, shall keep a watch for such instructions as may be issued by visual signals.
Night Period
Night period is considered the period between 30 minutes after sunset & 30 minutes before sunrise.
IFR – Instrument Flight Rules
Rules applicable to all IFR flights
Aircraft Equipment
Aircraft shall be equipped with suitable instruments and with navigation equipment appropriate to the route to be flown.
Flight Plans IFR
Prior to operating any flight within Athinai FIR, a flight plan shall be submitted to the competent ATS unit.
Cruising Levels
The semi-circular cruising level system also known as NEODD-SWEVEN rule is in effect in Athinai FIR.
The cruising levels at which a flight is to be conducted shall be in terms of:
A)Flight levels for en-route flights at or above the lowest flight level
B)Altitudes for en-route flights below the lowest usable flight level & as applicable for arriving or departing flights below the transition altitude.
Rules Applicable to IFR Flights Outside Controlled Airspace
Cruising levels
An IFR flight operating in level cruising flight outside of controlled airspace shall be flown at a cruising level appropriate to its track as specified in:
A)The tables of cruising levels, except when otherwise specified by the appropriate ATS authority for flight at or below 900 m (3000 ft) above mean sea level or
B)A modified table of cruising levels, when so prescribed in accordance for flight above FL 410.
Change From IFR Flight to VFR Flight
An aircraft electing to change the conduct of its flight from compliance with the instrument flight rules to compliance with the visual flight rules shall, if a flight plan was submitted, notify the appropriate air traffic services unit specifically that the IFR flight is cancelled and communicate thereto the changes to be made to its current flight plan.
When an aircraft operating under the instrument flight rules is flown in or encounters visual meteorological conditions it shall not cancel its IFR flight unless it is anticipated, and intended, that the flight will be continued for a reasonable period of time in uninterrupted visual meteorological conditions.
Position Reports
A controlled flight shall report to the appropriate air traffic services unit, as soon as possible, the time & level of passing each designated compulsory reporting point, together with any other required information.
A position report shall be transmitted when entering or leaving Athinai FIR boundaries from IFR aircraft.
VFR - Visual Flight Rules
Aircraft Equipment
Aircraft shall be equipped with suitable instruments and with navigation equipment appropriate to the route to be flown.
Flight Plans VFR
Prior to operating any flight within Athinai FIR, a flight plan shall be submitted to the competent ATS unit.
VFR Cruising Altitude or Flight Level
The semi-circular cruising level system also known as NEODD-SWEVEN rule is in effect in Athinai FIR.
On a magnetic course of zero degrees through 179 degrees, any odd thousand foot MSL altitude +500 feet (such as 3,500, 5,500, or 7,500) or On a magnetic course of 180 degrees through 359 degrees, any even thousand foot MSL altitude +500 feet (such as 4,500, 6,500, or 8,500).
Except when operating as a special VFR flight, VFR flights shall be conducted so that the aircraft is flown in conditions of visibility and distance from clouds equal to or greater than those specified in Table of VMC MINIMA below.
Withinin Controlled Airspace
Distance from Cloud :
1500m Horizontally, 1000ft (300m) vertically
Flight visibility :
8km for all VFR flights at and above 10000ft (3050m) AMSL
8km below 10000ft (3050m) AMSL for speeds more than 250kt IAS
5km below 10000ft (3050m) AMSL for speeds less than 250kt IAS
Outside Controlled Airspace
Above 3000ft (900m) AMSL or 1000ft (300m) above terrain whichever is the higher
At or below 3000ft (900m) AMSL or 1000ft (300m) above terrain whichever is the higher
Distance from Cloud :
Clear of cloud and in sight of the surface
Flight visibility :
8km for speeds more than 250kt IAS
5km for speeds less than 250kt IAS
Position Reports & Pilot Responsibility
All VFR flight within Athinai FIR shall transmit position reports, in relation to additional points when requested by the appropriate air traffic services unit.
Before taking off and landing, pilot in person is obliged to communicate as soon as possible to the nearest ATS unit.
Helicopters may be permitted to operate in less than 1500m flight visibility, if maneuvered at a speed that will give adequate opportunity to observe other traffic or any obstacles in time to avoid collision.
VFR Flights at Night
Only in exceptional circumstances, such as search, rescue, sanitary, state flights or flights in direct connection with the above flights.
Area Radar Services Within Athinai FIR/UIR Provided by Athinai & Makedonia ACCs
Radar Service & Area Control Service
Radar service & Area Control Service is provided within the Radar coverage of Athinai FIR/UIR, according to ICAO 4444 part VI, by Athinai (Athinai Radar) & Makedonia (Makedonia Radar). The Radar service is provided exclusively by the extensive use of SSR information derived from an automated multi-radar & flight plan processing system.
Approach Control Service
Approach Control Service is provided at all civil and military controlled aerodromes.
Approach Control Service is provided by Athinai & Makedonia ACCs, when the respective Approach Control Service is not in operation.
Transponder Operating Procedures
Pilots shall operate the transponder at all times during flight in accordance with ATC instructions.
Pilots who have not received specific instructions from ATC concerning the setting of the transponder, shall operate the transponder on Mode A/3, Code 2000 & Mode C and maintain that code setting until otherwise instructed.
All VFR flights shall operate the transponder on Mode A/3, Code 7000 & Mode C.
Procedures During Abnormal Situations
If the pilot of an aircraft encountering a state of emergency shall set the transponder to Mode A/3, Code 7700, whenever the nature of the emergency is such that this appears to be the most suitable of action.
Radio Communication Failure
In the event of an aircrafts radio receiver failure or a complete communication failure, a pilot shall select Mode A/3, Code 7600, follow established procedures, subsequent control of the aircraft will be based on those procedures.
Unlawful Interference
Mode A, Code 7500
Mode A codes 7700, 7600 & 7500 are permanently monitored.
Transponder Failure
In case of the transponder failure, a return to the nearest suitable aiport is mandatory.
System Of SSR Code Assigment
Athinai & Makedonia ACCs shall assign SSR codes in accordance with ORCAM Eurocontrol system .
